By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) -Top seed Jannik Sinner ensured Novak Djokovic will be absent from a Wimbledon men's singles final for the first time in eight years after handing the Serbian great a brutal Centre Court battering on Friday.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz holds off a battling Taylor Fritz in a thrilling fourth-set tie-break to reach the Wimbledon final and stay on course for a third successive title.

Twice defending champion Carlos Alcaraz tamed the towering Taylor Fritz to reach his third straight Wimbledon final, rediscovering his A-game when it mattered most to battle past the American in a 6-4 5-7 6-3 7-6 (6) victory on Friday.

The Wimbledon men's singles semi-finals take place at the All England Club on Friday. If ever a Grand Slam semi-final involving Spain's Carlos Alcaraz could be described as a warm-up act that could be a fair description of his clash with American Taylor Fritz in the opening match on Centre Court.

Alcaraz tie paused after fans require medical attention, plus Djokovic vs Sinner injury latest - Seven-time champion Djokovic is due to play world No 1 Sinner, and reigning champ Carlos Alcaraz faces

Taylor Fritz is still awaiting his first win over Carlos Alcaraz, and the American didn't hold back from snubbing the Spaniard once before during Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic was asked about the Wimbledon fan who infamously rooted for Roger Federer during their 2019 final at SW19, but has had a change of heart this year

Nick Kyrgios believes Novak Djokovic still has something to offer but fears the Serb is on his "last legs," mainly because Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have become so dominant and it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with them.